Automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch



March 1 63, 1937 H. R. SMITH 2541739765 I AUTOMATIC COIN CONTROLLED TIME REGISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Originl Filed June 29, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

March '16, T9370 H. R. SMITH J AUTOMATIC COIN CONTROLLED TIME REGISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed June 29, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

March 15, 1937. R sw g- 2,@73,7@

AUTOMATIC COIN CONTROLLED TIME REGISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed June 29, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 75? 75 76 f 60 r 7 /0 7 z '1 o g r; a i 7/ 6/ 67 n W i 0 6'2 5'6 r 62 r 42 (2 a? 1 c 1 64 .9/9 7 49 r 5; a7

i l I 2/ 0 i I \l' I O O INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY H. R. SMITH March 16, 19370 2,@73,765

AUTOMATIC com CONTROLLED TIME REGISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed June 29, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 33m 53 wwiX f 8Y9)? 6 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 16, 1937 UNl'l'E STA'l'E ATEN'E' @FE'EQE AUTOMATIC COIN CQNTROLLED TIME REGISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Hugh R. Smith, Los Angeies, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, a corporation of Delaware 8 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to electric refrigerators and more particularly to an automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch for electric refrigerators.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 547,718, filed June 29, 1931 for Automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch which may be installed on an electric refrigerator for metering the time over which electric refrigeration is made available.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simplified construction of automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch for refrigerators which is simple in construction and capable of manufacture and assembly inexpensively on a quantity production basis.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch having a minimum number of parts and capable of precision operation over predetermined time periods for controlling an electric circuit for definite time intervals visually indicated by mechanism associated with the switch.

A further object of my invention is to provide 3 a construction of automatic coin control time registering electric switch in which the deposit of a coin, or predetermined number of coins, operates to precondition the closing of a master switch t"ol the starting of the refrigerating mechud a time controlled mechanism, simuly actuating a register with means operalapse of predetermined time intere controiled mechanism for resetting to its initial position and opening a cugh the master switch to the refrigerhanism.

and further objects of my invention rein mechanical structure of the time conchanism and the means for actuating ering mechanism as will be more fully set fortn in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch attachment enclosed in a casing adapted to be mounted upon the electric refrigerator; Fig. 2 is a evational view showing the actuating mechanism with the front of the casing shown in Fig.

1 open; Fig. 3 is an elevational view looking at the rear of the panel of the coin controlled mechanism taken on line 33 of Fig. 4; Fig. 4 is a lateral cross-sectional View taken through the casing and the mechanism therein on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a View of the mechanical system for actuating the circuit closer for restoring the registering mechanism to its initial position and for effecting the opening of the circuit to the refrigerating mechanism; Fig. 6 is a crosssectional view through the mechanical operating mechanism for the circuit closer shown in Fig. 5 taken on line 66 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a schematic View showing the arrangement of the several parts of the refrigeration system and the wiring arrangement for such parts; and Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevational view showing the mounting of the registering mechanism and the time control mechanism on the panel of the automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch of my invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail the casing which encloses the automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch is indicated at 25 supported from a rear wa1l=26 and provided with a hinged cover 2 A plate 28 on the front of the hinged cover is apertured at 28a and 28b for the observation of the registering mechanism housed within the casing 25. The coin slot 29 is provided in the casing for the deposit of coins for actuating the mechanism within the casing 25 as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter. A latch mechanism 38 is pivoted at 3011 on one side wall of the casing 25 and operates to engage a lug member 2'la on the hinged door 27. The opposite end of the latch 38 is provided with a lateral projection Bill) which is adapted to be aligned with a corresponding projection on the bracket 32 and secured thereto by the tie member 33 sealed by suitable lead seal 33a against unauthorized inspection.

The mechanism within the casing 25 is supported upon a panel E i which is mounted on pedestal members 35a and secured thereon by screws The pedestal members 35a are attached to the rear Wall 26 of the casing 25. The panel 3 5 has three pedestal members 38, 31 and 38 projecting normal thereto and providing a frame support for the longitudinally extending strip member 35. The strip member 35 provides a bearing for three separate rotatable systems distributed along the panel. One rotatable system includes the register shaft .9. The next rotatable shaft constitutes the shaft 4| of the timing mechanism and the last rotatable systern comprises the rockable crank arm 42 of the circuit controlling mechanism which effects the opening of the circuit to the refrigerating mechanism after the lapse of a predetermined time interval. The panel 34 provides a support for the vertically disposed solenoids ill and 2| which operate the plunger members Illa and 2la, respectively. Solenoid I0 is the actuating device for the register H for effecting a closing of the circuit to the refrigerator apparatus, at the same time indicating the coins credit limit which in the structure shown is eleven coins. The solenoid 2| is the reset device for restoring the register to initial position and opening the circuit to the refrigerator mechanism.

The register mechanism ll includes a pair of ratchet wheels 43 and 44. The ratchet wheels are carried by the shaft 40 journaled in panel 35 and strip member 39, which shaft carries the calibrated register disc 45 suitably calibrated as indicated with respect to the number of coins which may be deposited for predetermining the operation of the refrigerating mechanism. The capacity of the apparatus illustrated is eleven coins, which in the particular form of invention shown are each twenty-five cent pieces. although it will be understood that machines of various capacities may be employed and coins of different denominations may be utilized. The shaft carries the insulated disc 46 which is provided with a notch 4'! in the peripheral edge thereof for permitting the spring actuator 48 of the duration switch [6 to be released from a position where the contacts l5a are closed to a position where the contacts lGa are opened. The insulated disc carries a member 49 projecting normally from the rear thereof adapted to abut with the projecting member 50 carried by panel 34. The abutment members 49 and 55 determine the limits through which the register may be revolved. The plunger members Illa and Zia have the ends thereof formed in yokes which are each guided by pins 5! and 52, which pins project from the panel 34. The immediately ad jacent portions of the plunger la and 21a form pawls Illb and 211) which respectively engage the ratchet teeth on ratchets M and 43. The plunger members ma and 2 la are normally maintained out of the path of the ratchets 43 and 44 by means of springs 53 and 54" connected with the respective plunger members as shown and anchored at 55 to the panel 34. In order to guide each plunger member in a vertical path I provide pin members 55, 57, which project laterally from the plunger members and pass through slots 58 and 59 formed in the panel 34 as shown.

The pins 56 and 51 also provide pivot means for rockably interconnecting the yoke shaped ends of the plunger members Illa and Zia with the armature members I00 and Ho which are actuated by the solenoids l0 and 2d. The springs 53 and 55 normally tend to maintain the yoke shaped ends la and Zla in a vertical position but free to rock in the course of the movement of the plunger members under control of the spring tension offered by the springs 53 and 54.

The pin member 56, around which the yoke shaped end llla pivots, is provided with a laterally projecting arm 50 which engages a forked lever which is secured to the shaft 52 of the counter mechanism 63. The counter mecha nism includes the numbered wheel members 53a, 63b, and 63c to which movement may be imparted by each step by step movement of the starting solenoid l5. That is, the counter mechanism 53 functions to maintain an accurate rec- 0rd of the number of coins inserted into the mechanism, for as will be hereinafter more definitely pointed out, the insertion of each coin in the apparatus results in the vertically upward movement of plunger I50 and the shifting of the counter mechanism 63.

The driving mechanism is constituted by an electric motor 6 which is supported from the rear of the panel 35 shown more clearly in Fig. 3 and operated by the electromagnet 64 disposed on the magnetic core 55. The circuit through the electromagnet 6A is controlled by means of the duration switch l5. worm wheel 55 which meshes with the spiral gear 56 carried by shaft 51, which shaft is journaled between lugs 58 struck from the material of the panel 34. The adjustable bearing 68a provides means for precisely centering shaft 61 between the lugs 68. The shaft 5'! carries the worm gear 69 which meshes with the spirally pitched gear 15 which is carried by a sleeve member ll concentrically journaled about the rotatable sleeve member 72 which carries the cam member 13 and weighted arm 14. The sleeve member 12 with respect to which sleeve H is concentrically journaled, is carried by the laterally extending stationary shaft 15. The gear 75 is limited against shiftable movement on the sleeve l2 by means of securing nut 12a. Gear l5 which is connected to sleeve H is provided with a parallel extending disc member 16 which carries a laterally projecting lug Tl arranged to move in a circular orbit in a clockwise direction under a driving torque produced by the motor 6 for engaging an oppositely directed lug 18 which is carried by the cam 13. Inasmuch as the sleeve '35 which interconnects the cam 13 and weighted arm is is free to revolve about the stationary shaft '55, the engagement of lug 71 with lug 18 tends to carry the sleeve 19 rotatably in a clockwise direction. The rate of movement of the cam l3, sleeve 19 and weighted arm 14 is regulated by the operation of a pawl on the end of the bell crank 62. The bell crank 42 is carried by the sleeve member 8| which is journaled for rockable movement about the laterally extending spacer member 36. In order to center the bell crank 52 in the required position in alignment with the cam 73, I arrange the stationary spacer sleeve on the laterally extending member 55 of such length that the bell crank 42 is brought into exact alignment with the cam 13. The bell crank is maintained under spring tension by means of coil spring 82 attached immediately below pawl 80 to the lug 68. The end of pawl engages ratchet teeth 13a formed around .a portion of the surface of the cam 13. The lower end of the bell crank 42 carries a laterally projecting member 83 formed from insulating material adapted to contact with the strip of insulation 84 secured to the extremity of the upper spring member 911 of the set of switch contacts "E9. The weight of the bell crank 42 when released by the cam 43 is sufiicient to effect a closing of the contacts of switch Is by movement of the upper contact strip l9a as shown in Fig. 5. .However, when the bell crank 52 is raised and is maintained in raised condition by operation of cam 13 the contacts at !9 are maintained open. The weighted arm 14 is disposed out of alignment with the face of the cam 13 and provides means for carrying the cam over a position of dead center for insuring the opening of switch l9.

The motor 6 drives a The coin control mechanism includes the coin chute 85 which is disposed immediately below the slot 29 in the casing 25 and supported from the rear of the panel 34. The coin chute 85 serves to guide the coin against the channel shaped end 86 of the coin operated arm M which is pivoted at 87. The opposite extremity of the arm l4 carries contact member 88 which may be formed from graphite or other conductive material that establishes wiping contact with the spring switch l5. The spring switch 15 is included in circuit with the time registering mechanism as shown more clearly in Fig. 7.

The electric current from a suitable power source is conveyed to the electric meter and then to the refrigeration unit through lines I and 2. One side of motor 3 in the refrigeration unit 4 is connected by means of wire 5 to line 2 and the other side to the motor 6 of timing device through wire 1 with thermostat 8 interposed therein. Motor 6 is also directly connected to line 2 by means of wire 9. This wire 9 is connected to solenoid ill of the duration mechanism ll through lead I2 then through wire [3 to the coin operated arm [4 of coin switch 15. The coin switch i5 is connected to duration switch I6 through wire H which is connected directly to line l and also through lead l8 to time switch 59. Switch I9 is connected through lead 20 to solenoid 2| and then through wire 22 to line 2. Duration switch I6 is connected to wire I through lead 23.

The system of my invention operates as follows: Upon depositing a coin the coin switch i5 is closed thus completing the circuit through solenoid ii! which actuates or moves forward the duration switch mechanism H thereby closing switch 16 and completing the circuit through motor 6 and motor 3 of the timing device and the refrigeration unit respectively. After the duration of time represented by the deposited coin and governed by the ratio of gearing in the timing device has expired the switch l9 becomes closed thus completing, the circuit through soll enoid 2i which sets back to zero the duration device, thereby opening switch I6 which cuts out the circuit through the motors 3 and 6.

The deposit of a coin causes the energization of solenoid iii from a position of rest. When the circuit is initially closed the normal position of the chsc member 46 connected with the time registering mechanism is as shown in Fig. 2 with the notch 57! so located that the lower portion of the spring of the duration switch I 6 is sprung downward, thereby maintaining the circuit to the refrigerating unit and the motor 6 open. However energization of the solenoid l effects a vertical movement of armature I00 bringing the pawl Nib into engagement with one of the teeth of ratchet wheel 44 shifting the registering mechanism for one unit of the calibration thereof and moving the notch 41 away from the depending end 48 of the duration switch l6 thereby closing the contacts i566 of duration switch I6 completing the circuit as above described through the timing is, as heretofore pointed out, eleven coins, limited by the size of disc 46 and the abutments G9 and 50 as heretofore described. The time controlled mechanism having been initiated in movement under control of driving motor 6 as above described, continues to operate. The direction of movement of gear 65, 66, 69 and lil has been indicated by arrows, the resultant movement of gear '10 being in a clockwise direction. As the pin ii on the disc 16 attached to gear 16 abuts against pin '18 on the cam [3, gear 19 tends to drive cam 13 in a clockwise direction. However lost motion is introduced between the coupling of the cam '53 and the drive gear Tl by virtue of the rotatable mounting of the cam 73, sleeve 19 and weighted lever 1 over the shaft '55. The positive drive between pin H and pin 78 occurs throughout an angular distance of somewhat greater than 90 while throughout the remaining angular distance pin Tl drives clear of pin '58. For this reason the time during which the switch 19 remains open is comparatively long. Pin I1 is adapted to engage and advance pin 78 over that angular distance necessary to move the weighted lever M from a position to which it normally swings on its downward descent to a position preparatory to the succeeding drop. As soon as the weighted lever swings from an uppermost position to a lower position in a clockwise direction the cam 13 is shifted to enable ratchet teeth 18 to engage pawl 80 immediately shifting bell crank 82 and opening the circuits through the contacts of switch I9. Thereafter the weighted lever is moved in step by step progression as the pin ll abuts against pin l8 raising pawl 89 at each step and permitting the cam and the next succeeding ratchet tooth to be engaged by the pawl. This positive driving connection continues until the weighted lever M has been raised to an upper position preparatory to a quick angular descent as the weighted arm seeks a position of equilibrium under gravitational forces.

As the weighted arm reaches an extreme upper position the trailing edge of the cam 73 advances toward the end of the pawl 80. Throughout this time the switch contacts 69 have remained open. However as the positive driving connection continues and the cam moves further in a clockwise direction, the trailing edge of the cam 13 reaches the position shown in Fig. enabling the pawl 89 to drop, thereupon shifting the position of the bell crank and closing the contacts of switch l9 by the movement of the projection 83 against strip 84. As the weighted arm sweeps through an angular distance of something more 1 than 180 during its descent, switch I9 is closed but is instantaneously opened as the leading edge of the cam 73 engages and raises the end of the pawl 80, thereby vertically shifting the bell crank 42 and opening the contacts of the switch IS. The gear l9 continues to drive and the pin TI runs idle until it again reaches the pin '58 in the path of its upper clockwise movement, thereafter the positive driving connection continues until the trailing edge of the cam 13 releases pawl 80 allowing the bell crank 42 to drop and closing the contacts of the switch 59 as before.

As the switch 19 closes current is sent through solenoid 2| which shifts the armature Zlc upward enabling the pawl 21?) to engage a tooth of the ratchet wheel 53, shifting the disc 46 in a counterclockwise direction. This tends to shift the position of notch 47 to a position nearer the duration switch 18 and depending upon the number of coins for which the mechanism has been set to operate, solenoid 2| by successive operations will restore disc 56 to a position in a counterclockwise direction where notch 41 is moved di- 5 rectly below the spring arm 48 of switch I6 thereby releasing the lower contact of the contact switch [6 and opening the circuit to the time control mechanism and to the refrigeration unit. The time registering mechanism and the 10 switch mechanism is now restored to. normal and prepared to receive the succeeding starting impulse for securing the next refrigeration period.

With the attachment of my invention on an electric refrigerator, ideal refrigeration may be 5 obtained at minimum cost and without the necessity of the user carrying the investment necessary in the purchase of an electric refrigerator. The cost to the user with the apparatus of my invention is substantially that of the normal bulk ice expense as the cost of the mechanism is carried by the organization which installs and maintains the automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch of my invention.

I have found the apparatus described herein highly practical in its construction and capable of manufacture and production inexpensively on a quantity production basis, and while I have described my invention in one of its preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising a driving mechanism, an electric switch movable to either an open or closed position, a lever having one end thereof engageable with said electric switch and having the other end thereof engageable by an angularly movable cam, and means controlled by said driving mechanism for imparting step by step progressive movement to said cam for shifting said lever from a position in which the contacts of said switch are maintained open to a position in which the contacts of said switch are closed.

2. A time actuated circuit controller comprising a driving mechanism, an electric switch mov able to a closed or an open position, a pivoted bell crank having one end engageable with said switch for controlling the movement of said switch to either open or closed position, and means engaging the opposite end of said lever comprising a rotatable cam having ratchet teeth formed on one portion thereof and engageable by a pawl carried by said lever, and means controlled by said driving mechanism for imparting progressive movement to said cam at constant speed throughout a portion of the angular path thereof while maintaining said lever in a position remote from said contacts for maintaining the contacts of said switch in open position, said cam being shiftable to a position on each revolution thereof to a position for effecting an abrupt angular displacement of said lever for closing said switch.

3. In a time controlled electric switch, a driving mechanism, a switch having an open position and a closed position, a lever having one end thereof engageable wtih a portion of said switch and means engaging the opposite end of said lever for effecting the opening or closing of said switch comprising an angularly shiftable cam having a weighted arm thereon, and means controlled by said driving mechanism for progressively shifting said cam and imparting vibratory movement to said lever while maintaining said lever in a position displaced from said switch for maintaining said contacts in open position, said mechanism operating to abruptly effect a dis placement of said lever for closing said switch and cyclically effecting a return of said cam under the gravitational force of said lever to a position for reestablishing the open condition of said switch.

4. A time controlled actuator for electric switches comprising in combination, a driving mechanism, a switch having open and closed positions, a lever having one end engageable with a portion of said switch, and means engaging the opposite end of said lever and controlled by said driving mechanism comprising a rotatable cam having ratchet teeth formed on a portion of the surface thereof. and engageable with a pawl formed on the end of said lever, said cam having an abrupt cut-away portion for efiecting a displacement of said lever and shifting said switch from an open position to a closed position, a weighted arm for gravitationally effecting a return of said cam to a position in which the pawl on said lever re-engages the ratchet teeth thereon for opening said switch after a closing operation thereof.

5. A time operated circuit controlling actuator comprising a driving mechanism, a switch having an open position and a closed position, a lever having one end thereof engageable with a portion of said switch for effecting the movement of said switch to either a closed position or an open position, a system of gears connected with said driving mechanism and terminating in a driving member, a rotatable cam and an eccentrically weighted means connected therewith, said cam having a means thereon engageable by said aforementioned driving member for establishing a driving connection with said driving mechanism throughout an angular distance in excess of while running free throughout the remaining angular distance, the coupling between said driving member and the engageable means operating to shift said cam and eccentrically weighted means in step by step movement while maintaining said switch in open position to a position at which said cam releases said lever for effecting a closing operation of said switch, said cam being further rotated under the gravitational force of said eccentrically weighted means for restoring said switch to open position.

6. A time actuated circuit controller comprising a driving mechanism, an electric switch having an open position and a closed position, a lever displaceable through a limited angular distance for eifecting an opening or closing of said switch, a cam having a portion of the surface thereof engageable with said lever and shiftable in step by step movement while maintaining said switch in open position, said cam having means for abruptly rocking said lever and effecting the closing of said switch, and means for positively coupling said driving mechanism with said cam throughout a limited angular movement of said cam.

7. A time actuated circuit controller comprising a driving mechanism, an electric switch having an open position and a closed position, a lever displaceable through a limited angular distance for effecting an opening or closing of said switch, a cam having ratchet teeth throughout a portion of the surface thereof engageable with a pawl on said lever and shiftable in step by step movement while maintaining said switch in open position, said cam terminating in an abruptly displaced surface for angularly rocking said Isver and efiecting a closing of said switch, and a pair of interengaging pins between said cam and said driving mechanism for effecting a driving operation of said cam by the abutment of said pins throughout limited angular movement of said cam, said weighted arm eifecting a disengagement of said pins under gravitational force and moving said cam to a position at which the ratchet teeth thereon re-engage the pawl on said lever for reestablishing an open condition of said switch.

8. A time actuated electric circuit controller comprising in combination a driving motor, an electric switch having an open position and a closed position, a lever having one end engageable with said switch for moving said switch to either of said positions, and means operated by said driving mechanism and engageable with the other end of said lever comprising a gravity drop device and a, cam connected therewith, said cam having ratchet teeth engageable with a pawl formed on the end of said lever and adapted to angularly shift said lever while maintaining said switch in open position, said cam having an abruptly displaced face adapted to release the end of said lever for effecting the closing operation of said switch at a point adjacent a position of unstable equilibrium of said gravtiy drop device, said cam restoring said switch to open position under control of gravitational descent of said gravity drop device preparatory to a succeeding operation.

HUGH R. SMITH. 

